ACC preview: Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- At the close of the first week of training camp, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer spoke optimistically about the many position battles going on at practice.

But even after seeing positive signs, one thing was still clear.

"We're looking for playmakers, that's for sure," Beamer said.

Searching for playmakers -- that's been the theme of preseason camp for the Hokies. Virginia Tech is looking for offensive game-breakers to complement senior quarterback Logan Thomas, and it's in search of players on defense to give it the depth it needs to succeed, especially during a tough early-season schedule that includes an opening game against No. 1 Alabama in Atlanta.

"We don't have a lot of experience from a playing standpoint, but I like the talent potential," Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster said.

The Hokies are extremely young, and they spent the first part of training camp shuffling some of their callow players around to put them in the best places to contribute right away.

The hope is those young players will learn quickly and help the team re-establish itself as one of the top programs in the country.

Tech won 10 or more games and contended for the ACC title for eight straight years before suffering through its worst season in 20 years in 2012.

The bad season prompted widespread changes, including a coaching overhaul that saw the Hokies hire a new offensive coordinator (Scot Loeffler), offensive line coach (Jeff Grimes) and wide receivers coach (Aaron Moorehead).

"We finished 7-6 last year. We're not accustomed to that, so going into the spring and fall, we've been working very hard," Hokies senior defensive end James Gayle said. "The offensive staff has been doing a great job of bringing along the offense, and we're working as a team to get better as well."

SPOTLIGHT ON SEPTEMBER: Ready or not, the Hokies will be tested right off the bat when they face off against No. 1 Alabama at the Georgia Dome in the Aug. 31 season opener. Frank Beamer has never been one to back off challenging his team in a season opener, but the results haven't been pretty. Tech has lost its last four neutral-site season openers -- two of which came against eventual national champions (USC in 2004 and Alabama in 2009) -- but it was able to bounce back and win 10 games in all four of those seasons, and it won an ACC championship in three of those campaigns. In an odd twist, the Hokies kick off their ACC schedule at Georgia Tech on Thursday night, Sept. 26. It's the earliest Thursday-night game for Virginia Tech since 2003 and the first time the Hokies have kicked off their ACC schedule on a Thursday night.

KEYS TO SUCCESS: There were many reasons for Virginia Tech's offensive struggles last season, but one loomed very large -- the Hokies' inability to run the football. Tech has relied heavily on a power run game over the years, and last year was the rare exception. With first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, the Hokies will try to re-establish that power run game. Defensively, the Hokies hope to develop more depth, especially in the secondary. Two of Tech's 2012 losses came in the closing minutes on long touchdown passes. Preventing such back-breaking plays will be critical to the success of this year's team.

AREAS OF CONCERN: While the Hokies have an established starting quarterback in Logan Thomas, his surrounding cast is mostly unproven. Thomas notwithstanding, the Hokies return only two offensive players who started more than six games last season. The two biggest concerns on offense are at wide receiver and on the line. There are a dearth of experienced options at receiver, and the Hokies may even need to give true freshmen (Carlis Parker, David Prince, Deon Newsome) and a walk-on (Charley Meyer) meaningful snaps this season. There is no shortage of available blockers -- five linemen with starting experience return -- but first-year offensive line coach Jeff Grimes is still looking to put together a starting unit he can trust.

--Team correspondents for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this story.